…write them!

I remember escaping into the adventures of Ramona Quimby (By Beverly Cleary). As a little sister, I would get excited to read about the next battle she would have with her sister. I could relate to the character and her story, even if it wasn’t exactly like mine. The book expanded my world and my understanding of relationships.

It also helped me get excited about reading other books. I was the kid who always had a book with her. Then, I was the teenager staying up way too late to finish a book. Now, I am the adult who is told to put her book away during family movie time. I am always reading a book, sometimes more than one book. I can’t imagine a world where I didn’t love books. But I wonder if I didn’t see myself in characters in children’s books, would I have had the same passion for reading?

The Power of Books

Reading is important for child development. Reading daily helps with language, communication skills, social skills, and literacy skills. Students who are exposed to reading before preschool have a greater chance of performing well in formal education, according to many studies. I taught high school for 25 years and don’t need a study to convince me. I know that students who had strong reading skills did better in school. I also know they were more empathetic and creative than students who rarely read.

All children should have access to books and people to help them build their passion for reading and learning. A University of Sussex study found that reading can reduce stress by 68%, relax muscles, improve sleep, and promote good health. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, about 20 million US young people can currently be diagnosed with a mental health disorder. Our children need help. Reading books can assist children in developing their skills, confidence, independence, and relaxation.

“"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go." Dr. Seuss

The Importance of Diversity

My oldest daughter, Reagan, has Rett Syndrome. She has severe disabilities and relies on a wheelchair for mobility. We are out and about in our community and travel a lot outside of Michigan. She is incredibly fortunate to be exposed to so many types of people and experiences. We want that for both of our daughters.

I’m surprised by how many young children stare at her wheelchair when we’re out. Our family is involved in the disabled world, but I don’t expect everyone to be. However, how can a child still get shocked by a wheelchair? What world do they live in that a wheelchair is out of the norm?

I love it when kids are curious and stare at her wheelchair. Kids should be curious. It gives me an opportunity to educate them and expand their world. It’s great when kids see her on a plane, at Disney World, or playing baseball. They get exposed to the normalcy of someone with a physical disability living their life.

“… the fact that we’re actually at a point where books are being used as a tool of power means that we need to understand it’s not just about diversity of books. It’s also the access to books and also the access to particular books that speak to the humanity of different groups of people.”

Dr. Iheoma Iruka, professor of public policy at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill

This is what I want to see in children’s books. Children should have access to diverse books. And they should be books that show the normalcy of diversity, not books that preach about diversity. We can portray physically disabled characters either as victims or as having similar experiences to the reader in books. I hope to see a lot more of the latter.

Books expand people’s world. They are a great way to show children that people with disabilities are like them, with the same dreams, struggles, and humor. Diverse books are also a way for children with disabilities to see themselves portrayed in the world. It gives them an opportunity to connect with a character like themselves.

Children with disabilities deserve to see themselves in books.

My passion for reading, educating, and diversity led me to write my first children’s book, My Mischievous Wheelchair. In the book, Grace is working hard to win Student of the Month. Her wheelchair temporarily derails her plans when it decides it is not getting enough attention. Grace’s wheelchair takes over her day and will not behave until it gets what it wants.

My goal was to create a twist on how society views people with disabilities. It’s a fun story about a wheelchair who refuses to be ignored by people. All the people who can’t seem to ignore a wheelchair gave me the inspiration for the idea. It is the first book in the series. I hope to have the second book, My Mischievous Wheelchair on Vacation, out next year. I have plans for a third book. If you are interested in learning more about disability resources and information, go to SemperGrata.com.